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BA (Hons) Graphic Communication with Typography
 

​Great ideas and how to communicate them

letterpress roller in the studio

​Thinking - Designing - Communicating

Recognised globally, Graphic Communication with Typography focuses on thinking and skills in relation to contemporary understanding of communication and graphic design. The course has three award options in addition to the core award:
  • Identity and Branding
  • Editorial and Publishing
  • Information Design 

Letterpress facilities

This short film about the letterpress facilities here at Plymouth University will make you yearn for an ink roller!
BA (Hons) Media Arts student Danny Cooke's quietly stylish film illustrates this centuries-old design technology.
Please click on the icon below the view the film (this will open up a new browser).

Letterpress film by Danny Cooke

Environment2010 degree show view

Based in the award winning Roland Levinsky students work in vibrant design studios where all three years interact. The University holds an extensive collection of metal and woodblock type housed in a purpose built workshop in the Scott building. This sits alongside silkscreen/printmaking workshops, extensive photographic studios and excellent film/video/sound facilities. Teaching studios contain state-of-the-art AppleMac provision.

 

​Student Voice

Why study Graphic communication with Typography at Plymouth University?
The BA(Hons) Graphic communication with typography degree. A student talks about the most important aspects of the course for him

 

Why take the BA (Hons) Graphic Communication with Typography degree at Plymouth?

Programme leader David Smart talks about the highlights of the undergraduate course in Graphic Communication with Typography.​

​Arts Degree Show 2011

The annual Arts Degree Show was a great success. This huge event incorporated the work of every final stage art, design  and media student. It is the culmination of three challenging years and a great opportunity for students to show their work off to friends, family, fellow students, prospective employers and the general public. For more information about the degree show including images please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/artsdegreeshow


Vision

Students are encouraged to experiment and challenge current design thinking and trends. We want students to be highly creative, to work in experimental ways to develop a distinct and personal visual voice. We encourage unique and innovative ideas in relation to practice and prepare students for work in an exciting industry nationally and internationally. You will be challenged!

Iain Rex, Graphic Communications with Typography

​Aim

Graphic Communication with Typography at Plymouth places emphasis on the generation of ideas as well as the relationship and importance of typography with other means of communication. Students explore the use of words and how they communicate, using typography alone, or in combination with photography and illustration.

student artwork

​Sustainability

This course encourages students to think about sustainability principles (equity across all systems, the needs and rights of future generations, the value of diversity, the need for precaution and limits to growth) in relation to the role of the designer in contemporary society


Showcase

Students can take part in a lively international exchange programme. There are design careers advice sessions in year two as well as an industrial liaison panel in year three, where working designers conduct portfolio surgeries with students. Competition/live design briefs can be undertaken as part of modules and work placements are encouraged via the programme’s extensive network of design and graduate contacts. A broad ranging and stimulating visiting lecturer series brings national and international expertise and experiences. All students exhibit their work at the end-of-year Degree Show.

Stage 1 project

​Student voice

“We as students are given several briefs at a time, which represent those that could easily be used within the design industry. In parallel to working in a studio space and receiving critical feedback on work produced in a fast pace working environment, the course gives a good impression for what the design industry is, and will be like. I feel it to be excellent preparation for Graphic Design work post University.”
Evan Lelliot, graduate

 

“Each tutor has different ideas and ways of communicating them which keeps the experience refreshing, and there always seems to be opportunities for tutorials throughout the modules. The computer based teaching and help is also excellent, and always available.”
Kim Saunders, graduate

Luke Sully
 

“Get to work within a great building, in well equipped studios, with excellent support, get to try out many things… All the briefs and modules so far have been challenging and interesting. They cover broad topics – this year I particularly enjoyed the website brief and it's interesting that this module gets mixed up with a variety of topics so can go from something very digital like the website, from working in the letterpress studio, to making a typeface which was a combination of both hands on and digital media.”
Luke Sully, graduate


2008 Dan Clayton Fuse. Graphic Communications and Typography

​Our specialisms

  • An emphasis on creativity and experimentation
  • Working with unique and innovative ideas
  • The development of a distinctive visual voice
  • Words and typography
  • Identity and branding design
  • Editorial and publishing design
  • Information design
  • A studio based working culture
  • Unique letterpress workshop and printmaking studios
  • Competition/live design briefs can be undertaken as part of modules
  • Work placements via the course’s extensive network of design and graduate contacts
  • A broad ranging and stimulating visiting lecturer series
  • An industry liaison panel conducting professional portfolio surgeries
  • Vocational and careers guidance via the University careers service
Students in the workspace

Find out about our Industry Liaison Day, which gives you the chance to meet industry professionals and receive one-on-one advice and coaching on your portfolio and insight into how to make it in industry.